DELIVERY OF AC POWER WITH HIGHER POWER PoE (POWER OVER ETHERNET) SYSTEMS

ABSTRACT

A method is provided that includes grouping a plurality of ports at power sourcing equipment receiving pulse power and transmitting power from the group of ports at the power sourcing equipment to a power interface module operable to combine the power and provide an AC (alternating current) outlet configured to provide AC power to one or more devices.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/705,797, entitled DELIVERY OF AC POWER WITH HIGHER POWER PoE(POWER OVER ETHERNET) SYSTEMS, filed Mar. 28, 2022, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/913,632, entitledDELIVERY OF AC POWER WITH HIGHER POWER PoE (POWER OVER ETHERNET)SYSTEMS, filed Jun. 26, 2020 (now U.S. Pat. No. 11,327,541), which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/040,745, entitledDELIVERY OF AC POWER WITH HIGHER POWER PoE (POWER OVER ETHERNET)SYSTEMS, filed Jul. 20, 2018 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,732,688), whichclaims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/641,203,entitled DELIVERING AC POWER WITH HIGHER POWER PoE SYSTEMS, filed onMar. 9, 2018. The contents of these applications are incorporated hereinby reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to delivering AC power, andmore particularly, to use of higher power PoE systems to power deviceswith AC power.

BACKGROUND

Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a technology for providing electrical powerover a wired telecommunications network from power sourcing equipment(PSE) to a powered device (PD) over a link section. The maximum powerdelivery capacity of conventional PoE is approximately 90 watts, butmany classes of devices would benefit from higher power PoE.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system for delivering higher power PoE to an ACpower outlet through combined ports, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an overview of a process forcombining power from PoE ports at power sourcing equipment to create anAC power outlet, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates grouping of ports at power sourcing equipment topower multiple AC power outlets, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates sharing of power transmitted to the AC power outletsof FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5A is a block diagram illustrating a power manager at powersourcing equipment in a higher power PoE system, in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 5B is a flowchart illustrating an overview of a process for sharinga power allotment from power sourcing equipment at a plurality ofdevices receiving power from AC power outlets, in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates combining higher power PoE to provide three-phase ACpower outlets, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates delivery of PoE through telecommunications cablingdirectly to higher power devices, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate reliable outlets for emergency service andlife safety equipment, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate reliable outlets with data for emergencyservice and life safety equipment, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 10 depicts an example of a network device useful in implementingembodiments described herein.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS Overview

In one embodiment, a method generally comprises grouping a plurality ofports at power sourcing equipment in a Power over Ethernet (PoE) system,the ports receiving power from at least one power supply, andtransmitting power from the group of ports at the power sourcingequipment to a plurality of ports at a power interface module. The powertransmitted at each of the ports is at least 100 watts and the powerinterface module is operable to combine the power received at theplurality of ports and provide an AC outlet.

In another embodiment, a system generally comprises a power supply, aplurality of ports for receiving power from the power supply, each ofthe ports configured to transmit at least 100 watts of power in a Powerover Ethernet (PoE) system, and a power manager for managing powerdelivery from the ports. The system is operable to power one or moredevices with AC power.

In yet another embodiment, a system generally comprises power sourcingequipment comprising a power supply and a plurality of ports eachconfigured for transmitting Power over Ethernet (PoE) at a power of atleast 100 watts, and a plurality of power interface modules, each of thepower interface modules comprising a plurality of ports forcommunication with a group of the ports at the power sourcing equipmentand an AC (alternating current) outlet delivering combined powerreceived at the ports.

Further understanding of the features and advantages of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be realized by reference to the remaining portionsof the specification and the attached drawings.

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skillin the art to make and use the embodiments. Descriptions of specificembodiments and applications are provided only as examples, and variousmodifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thegeneral principles described herein may be applied to other applicationswithout departing from the scope of the embodiments. Thus, theembodiments are not to be limited to those shown, but are to be accordedthe widest scope consistent with the principles and features describedherein. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical materialthat is known in the technical fields related to the embodiments havenot been described in detail.

In order to create an all PoE (Power over Ethernet) port environmentwithin a home, hotel, office space, or other residential or commerciallocation, there are several obstacles to overcome. These includeavailability of electrical outlets configured for 120 VAC (VoltsAlternating Current)/20 A (amps) (or other standard AC power outlet) forthe purpose of powering dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerators,hair dryers, vacuum cleaners, and other devices (appliances, equipment).These devices typically use higher than 90 W (watts) provided byconventional PoE systems.

In AC power environments in a home or business, there is typically aminimum number of AC outlets specified in the electrical code for eachroom. Conventional PoE systems (90 W or less), cannot sufficientlysupport these AC outlets and therefore cannot meet code requirements.

The embodiments described herein provide the delivery of power to meetAC power needs in commercial and residential environments in a higherpower PoE system. In one or more embodiments, a shared circuit deliverysystem manages real time power to minimize the total required inputpower to the PoE system.

Referring now to the drawings, and first to FIG. 1 , an example of amodular system that may be used to deliver power over communicationscabling (also referred to herein as higher power or enhanced PoE) forpower distribution at higher power levels (e.g., ≥100 watts) is shown.The modular system shown in the example of FIG. 1 includes a dual routeprocessor (RP) card chassis 10 supplying control and power over PoEcables 17 to a power interface module 15 operable to combine powerreceived from multiple ports 12 at a route processor 11 and convert PoEDC (direct current) power to AC (alternating current) power and createan AC power outlet.

It is to be understood that the term AC power outlet as used hereinrefers to any AC power outlet including standard outlets (e.g., 120 VACoutlet (e.g., 110-125 volts), 110 VAC, 220 VAC, 240 VAC, three-phase 208VAC) or any other AC outlet for use in a residential or commercialenvironment.

The term higher power as used herein refers to power exceeding 90 watts(e.g., ≥100 W, 150 W, 300 W, 450 W) and the term lower power as usedherein refers to power ≤90 watts.

In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the route processor card chassis 10 isa two RU (rack unit) chassis comprising two route processors 11 (RP0,RP1) each comprising twenty downlink ports 12, a dual port ground system13, and two combination power supply unit (PSU) and fan tray modules 14(PSU/FT0, PSU/FT1). Each downlink port 12 may support, for example, a300 W power system. In one example, the power supply provides dual 2 kWAC or DC redundant power modules (1+1). In this example, the RP cardchassis 10 operates as the PSE (Power Sourcing Equipment) and the powerinterface module 15 or the device connected to the power interfacemodule 15 is the PD (Powered Device) in the PoE distribution system. Inone or more embodiments, the system may include an extended power systemto supply four 2 kW redundant power modules (2+2) (e.g., double thedelivered power capacity of the RP chassis 10 shown in FIG. 1 ).

In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the power interface module 15 includessix ports 16 receiving power from a group of six 300 W ports 12 at thePSE 10 to provide an 1800 W circuit. The power interface module 15comprises an inverter 18 for converting (changing) received DC power toAC power to create an AC power outlet 19 (e.g., outlet providing 110VAC/15 A (amp (ampere)) power as shown in FIG. 1 ). In one example, themodule 15 combines power received at the six ports 16 and changes 54 VDCpower to 110 VAC power. In this example, the power inverter 18 may scalefrom 400 W to 1800 W based on port power availability and powerallocation for those ports.

The cables 17 are configured to transmit both power and data from thePSE 10 to the power interface module 15. The cables 17 may be formedfrom any material suitable to carry both power and data. The cables 17may comprise, for example Catx cable (e.g., category 5 twisted pair(e.g., four-pair) Ethernet cabling) or any other type of cable. Thecables 17 may be arranged in any configuration. The cable 17 may berated for one or more power levels, a maximum power level, a maximumtemperature, or identified according to one or more categoriesindicating acceptable power level usage, for example. In one example,the cables 17 correspond to a standardized wire gauge system such as AWG(American Wire Gauge).

In one embodiment, the ports 12, 16 comprise interconnect ports thatcombine data and PoE utilizing an RJ45 (or similar connector) connectedto cable 17. For example, the cable and connector system may compriseRJ45 cat7 style, four-pair communications cabling. The ports (jacks) 12,16 may be labeled to identify capability for power exceeding 90 W. Inone example, the cable and connector system may support ampacity per pinor wire to 2000 ma minimum. For example, 22 AWG wire may be used tosupport 1500 ma-2000 ma per wire in a cat7/cat5e cable system. In oneexample, the system may support a cable length of up to 15 meters (basedon technology of cat7 cable, 22 AWG at 300 W). In one or moreembodiments, the internal PSE power supply voltage may operate in the56V to 57V range, 57V to 58V range, or 56V to 58V range. For example,the output voltage at the PSE may be 57V with an input voltage at thepower interface module 15 of 56V. For a 15 meter cable, a 56V powersupply at the PSE can deliver approximately 300 W power. Other cablelengths, cable types, and power settings may also be used.

The system may include, for example, safety and fault detection systemsas described in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 16/020,881 and16/020,917, filed Jun. 27, 2018, which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety. For PoE applications exceeding 100 W,safety systems may include, for example, a fault detection system todetect shorts, opens, electrical imbalance, exceeding ampacity limits,or life safety concerns. In one or more embodiments, the power may beapplied at a low power setting (e.g., ≤90 W) and increased to higherpower after safe operating conditions have been verified. The systemmay, for example, cycle through and check each wire at the port or lookfor an electrical imbalance between wires or pairs of wires. The safetysystem may also identify that the correct cable/connector assembly isused for delivered power on the PoE port and provide for reduced loadcable removal to allow for safe removal of the cable and plug from apowered jack.

The PSE (e.g., route processor chassis 10, route processor 11, or anyrouting device (e.g., network device (router, switch) operable to route,switch, or forward data) may be in communication with any number ofpower interface modules 15 via cables 17, as described below withrespect to FIG. 3 . The PSE may be configured to deliver power at one ormore output levels (e.g., programmable PoE) and is provided power by atleast one power supply unit 14. The PSE 10 may receive power from a DCpower, AC power, or pulse power (PP) source. For example, as shown inFIG. 1 , each PSU 14 may receive DC power, AC power, or pulse power.

In one or more embodiments, the PSE 10 may receive high power PoE (e.g.,≥1000 watts) as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/707,976(“Power Delivery Through an Optical System”, filed Sep. 18, 2017) orU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/910,203 (“Combined Power, Data, andCooling Delivery in a Communications Network”), filed Mar. 2, 2018,which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

It is to be understood that the PoE system shown in FIG. 1 is only anexample, and other arrangements (e.g., number of route processors 11,PSUs 14, power interface modules 15, ports 12, 16, or port groupings)may be used without departing from the scope of the embodiments.Furthermore, the connectors (jacks, plugs), cables, cable lengths, andpower ranges described herein are only examples and other types ofconnectors, lengths of cable, type of cable systems, safety systems, orpower levels may be used without departing from the scope of theembodiments.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an overview of a process forcombining higher power PoE to provide one or more AC outlets, inaccordance with one embodiment. At step 20, a plurality of ports 12 aregrouped at power sourcing equipment 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2 ). As describedabove, each port 12 provides higher power PoE (e.g., ≥100 W, 300 W, 450W). The PSE 10 transmits the higher power PoE from each port 12 in thegroup to the power interface module 15 (step 22). The power received atthe ports of the power interface module is combined and converted toprovide an AC outlet (e.g., 120 VAC outlet) (step 24).

It is to be understood that the process shown in FIG. 2 and describedabove is only an example and that steps may be modified or added,without departing from the scope of the embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example in which port management is used to linktwo or more groups of ports to share an allotment of power. Aspreviously described with respect to FIG. 1 , an AC outlet 19 (e.g., 120VAC outlet) may be created at some usable ampacity, such as 15 A or 20A, by combining multiple ports 12 at the PSE 10. In the case of 300 Wports, six ports may be combined to deliver 110 VAC at 15A. In theexample shown in FIG. 3 , ports 12 at the PSE are grouped into six portgroups 30, each group comprising six ports. Each port group 30 providespower to one power interface module 15 comprising six ports 16, theinverter 18, and the AC power outlet 19, as described above with respectto FIG. 1 .

For residential or commercial applications, it is common practice toplace up to eight 120 VAC power outlets on a 20 A circuit, or six toeight outlets on a 15 A circuit. The PoE power distribution describedherein may be used to deliver all power to the AC power outlets throughcommunications cables. In the example shown in FIG. 3 , six groupings 30of six 300 W ports 12 are used to create six AC outlets 19 that canhandle 15A on the same circuit. Since it is desirable to not allocate1800 W to each of the six groupings of six ports, 1800 W may beallocated across the groupings. This allows communications wiringsupporting PoE to be used for each outlet 19, with the power allocatedacross each outlet, thereby mirroring a typical AC power outletinstallation of six outlets attached to a single 15 A circuit breaker.

In one or more embodiments, management software (power manager 32)supports an electronic circuit breaker that manages the total 1800 W forthe six groupings 30 such that when all six groupings exceed the 1800 Wmaximum current allocation, all ports are powered down until a reset isinitiated. This allows the entire circuit to perform in a similar manneras to how six conventional power outlets on a 15 A circuit wouldperform. In one or more embodiments, the power management systemprioritizes which grouping of ports in the set of groups can allocatefrom one allotment zone of multiple allotment zones, as described belowwith respect to FIG. 4 .

For simplification, the PSE 10 of FIG. 1 is not shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 8A,8B, 9A, and 9B. The power interface modules shown in those Figures mayreceive higher power PoE from a PSE as described above with respect toFIGS. 1 and 3 , for example.

FIG. 4 illustrates three of the power interface modules 15 shown in FIG.3 with each interface module in communication with a different appliance(device) 41, 42, 43 (Appliance 1, Appliance 2, Appliance 3). Theappliance may comprise, for example, a refrigerator, garbage disposal,dishwasher, washing machine, hair dryer, vacuum, garage door opener,sprinkler system, water heater, or any other electronic device,appliance, or equipment. The outlets 19 may share, for example, the same1800 W power allocation and the power management system 32 is operableto disable one or more of the appliances to allow other appliances tooperate over a short duration (FIGS. 3 and 4 ). The power may also beallocated to different outlets in the same group block.

In one example, the six port groupings 30 with six ports 12 per groupare managed to mimic six outlets as a 15A circuit with managementsoftware prioritizing group power allocation based on priority use of aparticular residential or commercial application. For example, one portgroup 30 assigned to appliance 41 (via power interface module 15) mayhave power suspended for a time period acceptable to power down theappliance 41 so that this power can be re-allocated to other groupingsof ports assigned to the same 15 A allocated circuit and power one ormore other appliances 42, 43. The power manager 32 may disable theappliance by shutting off power at the corresponding PSE ports 12 or bysending a message to the power interface module 15.

In another example, a dishwasher (Appliance 1), refrigerator (Appliance2), and garbage disposal (Appliance 3) may all use the same 15 A circuit(FIG. 4 ). When the dishwasher is energized, the refrigerator can bedisabled for a period of time (e.g., five minutes), and then thedishwasher can be disabled for a period of time, with the refrigeratorturned back on during that period to continue operating to reach theappropriate required cold temperature. The cycle may then repeat asneeded. In another example, energizing the garbage disposal maytemporarily disable other units on the line. With this level of powermanagement on a 15 A 110 VAC circuit, power may be effectively allocatedacross various devices without allocating separate 15 A circuits. Theembodiments thus allow the entire system to operate more efficiently, ata lower cost, and with more flexibility.

It is to be understood that the arrangement shown in FIG. 4 is only anexample and that any number of power interface modules 15 may be incommunication with any number of devices to share a power allotment fromthe PSE.

FIG. 5A is a block diagram illustrating a power manager 52 at a PSE 50in communication with three appliances 51 a, 51 b, 51 c (Appliance A,Appliance B, Appliance C) through power interface modules (PIMs) 55. PSE50 provides higher power PoE to the power interface modules 55 overcables 49. The cables 49 may also transmit control signaling and statusinformation between the power manager 52 and power interface modules 55or appliances 51 a, 51 b, 51 c. The power interface module 55 deliversAC power to the appliance (e.g., for non-PoE applications) and may alsotransmit data (PoE) to or from a smart appliance. Connections betweenthe PIMs 55 allow sharing of AC power between the PIMs to provide powersharing between the appliances 51 a, 51 b, 51 c. The power manager 52may store information (e.g., profile stored in database or programmed)for each appliance identifying appropriate power cycles (e.g., how longan appliance may be powered down, power needed for operation, time foroperation, etc.) for use in selecting appliances to power down and howlong to power down. In one or more embodiments, the power manager 52makes decisions as to which appliance to power down or how long to powerdown the appliance based on available power and power requirements ofthe appliances, without receiving input from the appliances (e.g., powermanager does not negotiate power allocation with power interface moduleor appliances).

FIG. 5B is a flowchart illustrating an overview of a process for sharedpower allocation, in accordance with one embodiment. At step 53, a powermanagement system (e.g., power manager 52 in FIG. 5A) monitors power andstatus of a group of devices (e.g., appliances 51 a, 51 b, 51 c in FIG.5A). Each appliance may be associated with a profile identifying itspower needs. For example, a refrigerator may have a profile thatspecifies that it can be powered down for a limited time period (e.g.,five minutes or any other suitable time period). If sufficient power isavailable, the appliance will be powered on as needed (steps 55 and 56).If there is not sufficient power available when an appliance isenergized (e.g., garbage disposal activated), the power manager 52identifies one or more other appliances (e.g., refrigerator) for whichpower can be temporarily reduced or turned off (steps 55 and 57). If anappliance runs for an extended period of time (e.g., dishwasher), thepower manager may cycle other appliances on and off, as needed. Eachappliance may have a default profile or the power manager may beprogrammed for specific equipment or user needs.

It is to be understood that the system shown in FIG. 5A and the processshown in FIG. 5B and described above are only examples and that thesystem may include additional components or the process may includeadditional or different steps without departing from the scope of theembodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates combining PoE power to provide one or morethree-phase AC power outlets, in accordance with one embodiment. Threedistinct but related groupings may be used to create the three-phasepower. In the example shown in FIG. 6 , each power interface module 65comprises six ports 66 and an inverter 68 for creating a 208 VACthree-phase power outlet 69 (A-B 208 VAC, B-C 208 VAC, C-A 208 VC). Inthis example, powering of a 15 A circuit with six 300 W ports may bescaled such that three groupings of six ports 66 can deliver power tothe inverter 68, with the inverter creating three separate phases withphase-to-phase voltage of 208 VAC. Each inverter circuit may be phasedcurrent in a standard delta or Y configuration. The three managed groupsof six ports per group may effectively control phase-to-phase imbalanceby lowering voltage slightly on a single phase, or adjusting current perphase as needed to maximize power factor.

The circuit shown in FIG. 6 may be used to power, for example, an L6 orL14 type AC outlet used in various applications in a residential orcommercial environment. Communications cable may be used to deliverpower to the three-phase load such that minimal electrical system buildout is needed. This eliminates the need to build out AC electricalsystems and allows communications cabling to deliver power to ACelectrical system outlets based on growth or demand. In one or moreembodiment, pulse power may be provided to the PSE and converted to ACpower, as previously described.

For applications that have low enough power needs (e.g., some vacuumcleaners, refrigerators, or garage door openers), it is possible todirectly connect the PoE cable to those devices, as shown in FIG. 7 .The devices may be connected via typical RJ45 Ethernet jacks, forexample, and may benefit from Ethernet connectivity. The appliances(e.g., Appliance 1, Appliance 2, Appliance 3, Appliance 4, Appliance 5,Appliance 6 in FIG. 7 ) may include, for example, a vacuum, garage door,sprinkler system, water heater, or any other appliance, device, orequipment. In one example, the PSE 10 may provide 450 W power per port.If the PoE power source is battery backed, applications such as garagedoors may still open or close when AC power is unavailable (e.g., poweroutage).

In one or more embodiments, a managed PoE port to a garage door opener(or other device or appliance) may be programmed or allow other avenuesof control. In one example, when residents are away from home on a trip,the PoE power to the garage door opener may be limited until an Ethernetpacket is sent to enable full power. This would prevent others fromopening the garage door. In this example, the power is only restored viaa managed command to the power manager.

As shown in FIG. 7 , one or more of the ports 12 may deliver power to aPIM (power interface module) 75 comprising an inverter 78 and an ACoutlet 79 (e.g., 110 VAC, 2-3 amp). The outlet 79 may be used, forexample, to power a phone charger, laptop, or other device. Aspreviously described, the PSUs 14 may receive AC power, DC power, orpulse power. In one example, one or more of the ports 12 may provide adirect flow through of power to one or more devices (e.g., Appliance 1-6in FIG. 7 ), one or more ports may individually provide power to an ACoutlet 79 (FIG. 7 ), and a group of ports 12 may provide power to an ACoutlet 19 (FIG. 1 ). Thus, the ports 12 at the PSE 10 may be used formultiple applications, either individually or in groups. The PSE 10 maybe used, for example, to provide power for devices or appliances in aresidence, business, hotel room, or other environment.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A, and 9B illustrate examples of reliable outlets thatmay be used to power emergency service equipment 82, 92 or life safetyequipment (e.g., hospital equipment) 83, 93. Priority power may beallocated to life safety circuits, emergency systems, critical systems,and then general availability, in this order, for example. Powermanagement software may be used to reorganize or prioritize in adifferent order.

Each power interface module 84, 85, 94, 95 comprises ports 86, 96 andone or more inverters 88, 98. In one example, all outlets share the same1800 W power allocation. An emergency services outlet 89, 99 is shown ina 6+1 cabling configuration. Powering of a 15 A circuit with six 300 Wports may be made more reliable by adding a single cable (6+1) (FIGS. 8Aand 9A). In this configuration, the system now has increased reliabilityin the unlikely event of a conductor, cable, connector, or port powerfault condition. A life safety outlet is shown in a 6+6 cablingconfiguration for improved backup and reliability (FIGS. 8B and 9B).Powering the same inverter circuit in a 6+6 configuration has theadditional ability to provide redundant switch systems where some portscome from one switch system and some ports come from other switchsystems powering the AC circuit. In this manner, at least two switchsystems provide PoE power to the inverter circuit 88, 98. The system mayinclude dual inverters 88, 98 as shown in FIGS. 8B and 9B, with oneinverter powered by six ports 86, 96 and the second inverter powered bythe other six ports.

In one example, six ports 86, 96 may receive power from one UPS(Uninterruptible Power Supply) driven switch and the other six ports mayreceive power from a second UPS driven switch. All twelve ports 86, 96may be served from one UPS backed switch if cable reliability is theonly concern. However, true redundancy with at least two switches may bepreferred. In another example, four groups of three ports may receivepower from four UPS backed switches.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B the AC outlets 99 may also include dataports 91 with data connectivity provided by the PoE cables.

It is to be understood that the higher power PoE systems, networkdevices (switches, routers), appliances, power levels, current ranges,number of ports, size of port groupings, sharing of power, and powerallocation described herein are only examples and that other systems,devices, appliances, arrangements, power levels, or powercontrol/management may be used, without departing from the scope of theembodiments.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a network device 100 (e.g., transportsystem, route processor card chassis in FIG. 1 ) that may be used toimplement the embodiments described herein. In one embodiment, thenetwork device 100 is a programmable machine that may be implemented inhardware, software, or any combination thereof. The network device 100includes one or more processors 102, memory 104, interface 106, andhigher power PoE/AC power manager module 108.

Memory 104 may be a volatile memory or non-volatile storage, whichstores various applications, operating systems, modules, and data forexecution and use by the processor 102. For example, components of thepower manager module 108 (e.g., code, logic, or firmware, etc.) may bestored in the memory 104. The network device 100 may include any numberof memory components.

The network device 100 may include any number of processors 102 (e.g.,single or multi-processor computing device or system), which maycommunicate with a forwarding engine or packet forwarder operable toprocess a packet or packet header. The processor 102 may receiveinstructions from a software application or module, which causes theprocessor to perform functions of one or more embodiments describedherein.

Logic may be encoded in one or more tangible media for execution by theprocessor 102. For example, the processor 102 may execute codes storedin a computer-readable medium such as memory 104. The computer-readablemedium may be, for example, electronic (e.g., RAM (random accessmemory), ROM (read-only memory), EPROM (erasable programmable read-onlymemory)), magnetic, optical (e.g., CD, DVD), electromagnetic,semiconductor technology, or any other suitable medium. In one example,the computer-readable medium comprises a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium. Logic may be used to perform one or morefunctions described above with respect to the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and5B or other functions described herein. The network device 100 mayinclude any number of processors 102.

The interface 106 may comprise any number of interfaces or networkinterfaces (line cards, ports, connectors) for receiving data or power,or transmitting data or power to other devices. The network interfacemay be configured to transmit or receive data using a variety ofdifferent communications protocols and may include mechanical,electrical, and signaling circuitry for communicating data over physicallinks coupled to the network or wireless interfaces. For example, linecards may include port processors and port processor controllers. Theinterface 106 may be configured for PoE, enhanced PoE, higher power PoE,PoE+, UPoE, or similar operation.

It is to be understood that the network device 100 shown in FIG. 10 anddescribed above is only an example and that different configurations ofnetwork devices may be used. For example, the network device 100 mayfurther include any suitable combination of hardware, software,algorithms, processors, devices, components, or elements operable tofacilitate the capabilities described herein.

The embodiments described herein may operate in the context of a datacommunications network including multiple network devices. The networkmay include any number of network devices in communication via anynumber of nodes (e.g., routers, switches, gateways, controllers, accesspoints, or other network devices), which facilitate passage of datawithin the network. The network devices may communicate over or be incommunication with one or more networks (e.g., local area network (LAN),metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), virtualprivate network (VPN) (e.g., Ethernet virtual private network (EVPN),layer 2 virtual private network (L2VPN)), virtual local area network(VLAN), wireless network, enterprise network, corporate network, datacenter, Internet of Things (IoT), Internet, intranet, or any othernetwork).

Although the method and apparatus have been described in accordance withthe embodiments shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will readilyrecognize that there could be variations made to the embodiments withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intendedthat all matter contained in the above description and shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: grouping a plurality ofports into one or more groups of ports at power sourcing equipment thatreceives power such that each group of ports of the one or more groupsof ports provides the power to a respective power interface module of aplurality of power interface modules, wherein grouping the plurality ofports is based on a power requirement of one or more devices; andtransmitting the power from a respective group of ports to therespective power interface module operable to combine the power andprovide an outlet configured to provide the power to the one or moredevices.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the respective powerinterface module provides a direct current (DC) outlet configured toprovide the power to the one or more devices.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein grouping the plurality of ports is further based on an availablepower.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein grouping the plurality of portsincludes: prioritizing the available power to a life safety equipment ofthe one or more devices.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the pluralityof ports transmit Power over Ethernet (PoE).
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein each of the plurality of ports transmits at least 100 watts ofthe power.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more groups ofports include a plurality of port groups at the power sourcingequipment, each of the plurality of port groups transmitting the powerto a different power interface module of the plurality of powerinterface modules.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the power sourcingequipment receives the power as one of a direct current (DC), a pulsedpower, or a voltage.
 9. A method comprising: receiving power at anetwork device; converting, at the network device, the power to Powerover Ethernet (PoE); and transmitting the PoE to a power interfacemodule, wherein the power interface module is configured to convert thePoE to the power and to provide the power at an outlet to power one ormore devices.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the power interfacemodule provides a direct current (DC) outlet configured to provide thepower to the one or more devices.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein thepower interface module is configured to combine the PoE received at aplurality of ports.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein each of theplurality of ports transmits at least 100 watts of the power.
 13. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the power is one of a direct current (DC), apulse power, or a voltage.
 14. A system comprising: a network deviceconfigured to receive power; a plurality of ports at the network device,each of the plurality of ports is configured to transmit Power overEthernet (PoE); and a power interface module configured to receive thePoE from at least one of the plurality of ports and to convert the PoEto the power to provide an outlet that supplies the power to one or moredevices.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the network devicecomprises a chassis card.
 16. The system of claim 14, wherein the powerinterface module provides a direct current (DC) outlet configured toprovide the power to the one or more devices.
 17. The system of claim14, wherein the power interface module includes a plurality of powerinterface modules and further comprising: a power manager configured toreduce the power at one or more of the plurality of power interfacemodules based on a required power at the one or more devices exceedingan available power.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the powermanager is configured to monitor the power by using a power profileidentifying a power cycle for each of the one or more devices and isconfigured to select the one or more of the plurality of power interfacemodules for reducing the power based on the power profile.
 19. Thesystem of claim 17, wherein the power manager is configured toprioritize providing the power to a life safety equipment of the one ormore devices.
 20. The system of claim 14, wherein the plurality of portsare grouped such that each port group provides the power to a differentpower interface module based on an available power, and wherein thenetwork device receives one of a direct current (DC), a pulse power, ora voltage, as the power.